The Lower Thames Crossing project's plan to replace diesel with
hydrogen in its heavy construction machinery, and help accelerate
Britain's transition to clean power, came a step closer today,
following the successful conclusion of its first hydrogen trial
in partnership with Gallagher Group, JCB and hydrogen supplier
Ryze Power.
The trial was hosted at the family-run Gallagher's Hermitage
Quarry in Kent, and was carried out using a JCB 540-180H Loadall
powered by a hydrogen combustion engine fuelled with low carbon
hydrogen.
The machine replaced the use of an existing diesel-powered JCB
Loadall for masonry work and successfully demonstrated the safe
operation of hydrogen combustion powered equipment and mobile
refuelling infrastructure.
The trial proved that the equipment would not only meet the
project's needs but would produce zero tailpipe emissions and
save around 205kg of CO₂ per machine, per week when compared to
traditional diesel fuelled equivalents.
The Lower Thames Crossing is a pathfinder project exploring
low-carbon construction. It has set itself a target of a 70%
reduction in its construction carbon, against its original
calculations, and a significant proportion of the reductions will
be achieved by eliminating diesel from its construction sites by
2027.
When construction gets underway, which could be as early as 2026,
it will use electric vehicles and plant, and hydrogen to power
its heavy construction machinery – a first for a major project in
the UK.
The contract for the supply, storage and distribution of hydrogen
to its construction sites is expected to be awarded later this
year.
By buying the largest ever volume of hydrogen on a UK transport
project, the Lower Thames Crossing will accelerate the
construction industry's shift away from diesel by providing its
supply chain the confidence to invest in hydrogen-powered
machines, as well as develop the new skills required to operate
and maintain them.
It will also help jumpstart the highly anticipated development of
a hydrogen ecosystem in the Thames Estuary, which the Thames
Estuary Growth Board estimate to be worth £3.8 billion GVA and
would create 9,000 highly skilled jobs by 2035. Hydrogen hubs are
already emerging across the UK, and the certainty and scale of
demand created during the construction of the Lower Thames
Crossing would push the establishment of a hydrogen ecosystem in
the Thames Estuary.
JCB's hydrogen engines have undergone rigorous testing,
surpassing 22,500 hours in engine test cells while JCB
hydrogen-powered machines have completed over 30,000 hours of
testing on the company's proving grounds and 25,000km on the
road.
, Executive Director, Lower
Thames Crossing said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is a Pathfinder
project, designed to be the greenest road ever built in Britain.
At the heart of these plans is the use of clean low-carbon
hydrogen power, and by using it on such a large scale to power
our heavy construction machinery that is traditionally hard to
electrify, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint,
accelerate the construction industry's shift away from diesel,
and help kick start the creation of a hydrogen ecosystem in the
Thames Estuary.”
Tim Burnhope, Group Director – Special Projects at JCB said: “The
JCB engine is fuelled by hydrogen gas, a zero CO2 fuel rather
than diesel, which is a fossil fuel. JCB is the first in the
world to deploy this technology in machinery like this, which
makes it perfect for sustainable construction and quarry
operations.”
Ryze Power Sales Director, Alex Webster, said: “We know how
transformative hydrogen can be when used in the construction
sector – something that this successful trial has proven. It's
incredibly satisfying to see this first-of-its-kind project start
to come to fruition. Hydrogen has a vital part to play in the
UK's energy mix and this project will not only help with
decarbonisation, but will be a huge step forwards in the creation
of strong and thriving hydrogen ecosystem in the Thames Estuary
and beyond.”
Sean Connor, Managing Director, Gallagher Group said: “A part of
our own journey to NetZero and in keeping with our drive for
low-carbon, sustainable construction solutions, Gallagher were
delighted to host and carry out this Hydrogen Trial in
Partnership with JCB, Lower Thames Crossing and RYZE. As an
award-winning NetZero Trailblazer, Gallagher are proud to be at
the forefront of adopting new innovative solutions.”
The Lower Thames Crossing is a new road and tunnel under the
Thames designed to tackle congestion and unlock economic growth
by almost doubling road capacity across the Thames east of London
and creating a reliable route that better links the ports of the
south-east with the midlands and the north.
It plans to be the greenest road ever built in the UK, and will
plant at least 1 million additional trees, create a new community
woodland at Hole Farm, new public parks in Thurrock and Gravesham
and create or improve almost 40 miles of pathways for walkers,
cyclists and horse riders, 3 miles of path for every mile of
road.
The project received planning permission in March 2025 and is now
working with the government on funding options. Construction
could start as early as 2026, with the new road expected to open
in the early 2030s.
Notes to editors
A summary report of the findings from the hydrogen trial between
Lower Thames Crossing, Gallagher Group, JCB and hydrogen supplier
Ryze Power can be found here.
